A forgotten rebellion whispers from the past. Before you stands Limbang Division a place etched in history’s margins. Limbang Division’s story begins long before its annexation. It was once known as Pangkalan Tarap a bustling trading post on the Limbang River. This strategically important location thrived on the Limbang River. It sat between the two halves of Brunei.
In 1884 Limbang residents revolted against high taxes imposed by the Bruneian Empire. William Hood Treacher then governor of North Borneo saw an opportunity. He offered to mediate. He sailed to Brunei on HMS Pegasus backed by the British Navy. Treacher brokered peace. Temenggong Hashim agreed to end arbitrary taxes. However this peace was short-lived.
Treacher’s actions sparked a territorial dispute. The Brooke government fearing Treacher’s expansionist policies demanded compensation. They threatened to withhold cession payments. Temenggong Hashim under pressure ceded the Trusan area. Sultan Mumin however did not agree. Charles Brooke disregarded the Sultan’s lack of consent. He occupied Trusan by force. Brunei later ceded Trusan in 1885 and Padas in 1887.
In 1886 attempts to persuade Sultan Hashim to cede Limbang failed. Sultan Hashim and his princes believed further cessions would weaken Brunei’s authority. Sir Frederick Weld then visited Labuan. He consulted Limbang chiefs who rejected Sultan Hashim’s rule. They preferred British rule. Faced with an ultimatum and pressure from Crocker Sultan Hashim eventually accepted a British Resident.
On March 17 1890 Rajah Charles Brooke annexed Limbang. He claimed the chiefs had been independent for five years. They had even flown a Sarawak flag. Brunei protested but the British colonial office eventually closed the case. Brunei’s claims persisted through the years. Limbang’s annexation remains a point of contention between Brunei and Malaysia.
The Limbang River continues its flow. It is a silent witness to centuries of trade conflicts and political maneuvering. The Limbang Division stands today a vibrant testament to its complex past. Its history echoes through its streets its people its very existence. This is Limbang Division a place where history and geography intertwined have shaped its destiny. It is a place where the echoes of past struggles continue to resonate.